How to evaluate fire protection quotes — hazard class, hydraulics, pump room, approvals
Fire protection quotes differ most on what they assume — the hazard class, the tank, the pump room, who files the NOC — and least on the price of pipe. This checklist tests the assumptions; the guide to selecting a fire protection contractor tests the contractor.
Last reviewed · Reviewed for checklist content, linked standards Authority names, portals, fees and timelines change with state notifications; confirm the live position with the authority before relying on it.
What to check
- Hazard class assumed, and the evidence for it
- Design density and area of operation for sprinklers; hydrant flow and residual pressure at the remote outlet
- Tank capacity, pump duties (main, standby diesel, jockey) and head
- Detection type — addressable or conventional — device count and the cause-and-effect
- Special suppression for server, UPS and electrical rooms
- Who designs the scheme, who files the provisional and final NOC, who attends the inspection
Documents to request
- The scheme drawings the quote is based on
- Hydraulic calculation for the remote area
- Pump selection with curves
- Equipment listings for heads, valves, pumps and detectors
- The exclusions sheet
Technical questions to ask
- What NBC 2016 Part 4 occupancy class and height did you design to?
- How will sprinklers be protected from later obstruction by racking, ducts and trays?
- What is the pump-room arrangement — suction, priming, ventilation, exhaust, drainage?
- What integrations are included — PA/voice evacuation, HVAC shutdown, dampers, lifts, access control?
Commercial questions to ask
- Design, filing and inspection attendance included?
- Statutory fees excluded and stated?
- Shortfall items from inspection — included or variation?
- Payment against stage tests and the final NOC?
Hidden scope gaps to look for
- Tank and pump-room civil work assumed to be the client's
- Passive protection — fire dampers, fire-stopping, fire doors — priced by nobody
- Voice evacuation omitted where required
- Special suppression excluded
- Testing and inspection attendance not listed
- "Design by others"
Commissioning documentation to insist on
- Hydrostatic tests by section; flow test at remote hydrant; pump auto-start and diesel run record; detector and call-point tests with the cause-and-effect matrix; head schedule; as-builts; final NOC; extinguisher register
Warranty and AMC terms to review
- Equipment warranties assigned; AMC with the periodic tests and logbook the NOC renewal needs; renewal filing assigned
Safety and compliance issues that matter
- NBC 2016 Part 4, IS 15105, IS 3844, IS 13039, IS 2189, IS 2190; insurer requirements above the minimum; scheme filed before construction
How Secured Engineers can help
Secured Engineers Pvt. Ltd. reviews fire protection quotes against the approved scheme — or against the scheme the building needs where none exists yet — as part of a fire review, and prepares its own to the same checklist. The Fire NOC page sets out what the inspection will check.